Luke Littler continued his remarkable PDC World Darts Championship campaign this afternoon, defeating Fermanagh's Brendan Dolan in convincing fashion in their quarter-final meeting this afternoon.
The story of this year's tournament, the 16-year old has bee nothing short of spectacular throughout the event at Alexandra Palace. Having dispatched of Raymond van Barneveld in the last round, he was the favourite to win this afternoon.
That tag was more than justified.
Despite losing the two legs in the opening set, he would go on to win three on the spin to take a 1-0 lead. He had little issue reeling off the next two sets either, nailing a number of big finishes along the way.
OH THAT'S RIDICULOUS FROM LITTLER!
A stunning 111 checkout from Littler to level the third set!
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/delGE2LMLr— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
Despite being 3-0 down, Dolan would play some good darts at times over the remainder of the match. That included nailing a 142 finish in the first leg of the fourth set, although he would go on to lose that set.
While he would avoid a whitewash by winning the fifth set, the Fermanagh native was outscored in a convincing fashion. That proved to be his undoing.
In the end, Littler would run out as a 5-1 winner.
BRUTAL 140 FROM LITTLER!
A stunning 140 checkout from this mercurial talent to break and lead the sixth set!
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/Gaut53eLEG— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
READ HERE: Ex-Darts World Champion Issues Warning To Media Over Coverage Of Luke Littler
Brendan Dolan unimpressed by Luke Littler first set actions
Luke Littler is the biggest story in darts at the moment, with the 16-year old having the personality to match that status.
Already a favourite of the crowd, he has used that to his advantage at times. He has also been on the receiving end of a few boos. That included in his last 16 match against Raymond van Barneveld when he opted against going for the bull during a 170 checkout due to the fact that his opponent was not on a finish.
However, when the same scenario played out this afternoon, he made the most of the moment. In saying that, his antics on stage did not seem to go down all that well with Brendan Dolan. You can see the moment around 20 seconds into the clip below.
LITTLER OFF THE MARK!
A brilliant start from Luke Littler as he comes from 2-0 down in the opening set to take it 3-2 and lead this Quarter-Final.
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/U0drrpuzWG— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
It was all in good fun, with Dolan likely frustrated with the manner he had given up a two leg lead in the set. The two would share an embrace after the match and the Northern Irishman seemed to have some kind words for his teenage opponent.
The Fermanagh native was playing at this stage of the World Championships for the second time in his career, having suffered a 5-0 defeat to Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals back in 2019.
As for Luke Littler, he will now face Rob Cross in the semi-finals. The 16-year old is going to take some stopping.
SEE ALSO: Rob Cross Pulls Off 'Greatest Comeback In Darts History' In World Championship Quarter-Final
